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Saba Karim all gratitude after BCCI post

Saba Karim was pleasantly surprised and excited after he was appointed as national selector from East Zone

New Delhi: Newly appointed national selector from East Zone, Saba Karim was pleasantly surprised and excited after he got the news from the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on Thursday.

"Frankly, I wasn't even aware that I am in content_cnion for selector's post. Only a couple of days ago did I start getting feelers about my name doing the rounds. I have just got official intimation from the board," Karim told PTI.

"Obviously, I am very happy and it's an honour that the BCCI has found me capable enough to take up this challenge," the former India wicketkeeper, who has played 34 ODIs apart from a Test match, added.

Karim, who has played first-class cricket for erstwhile Bihar and then for Bengal, pipped Trinamool Congress backed former all-rounder Arup Bhattacharya and former Test opener Devang Gandhi to the post.

"I think it will be a new challenge altogether as Indian cricket is set to embark on a new direction.

"There will be lot of responsibilities that is associated with the assignment and I hope that I am able to perform my duties to the best of my ability.

"As a selector, I will certainly have an open mind when it comes to selectorial decisions," Karim said.

Karim, who runs an academy at Noida's sector 132, said that he is not planning to shift base.

"Well, I will still be based out of Noida. Obviously, when it comes to watching matches in my zone, the BCCI will certainly have guidelines and I will adhere to that," the soft-spoken Karim stated.

About his colleagues, he said, "I haven't played against Sandeep Patil but Vikram (Rathour) is my contemporary and I have played a lot against him at the first-class level. I have played a few times against Roger (Binny) while I have spoken a few times with Rajinder Singh Hans."

He has a contract with a national television channel but, in all probability, will have to terminate that in order to take up the new responsibility.

"I haven't received my contract papers yet but once I get it, I will do whatever is necessary."